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The Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera combines the versatility, performance, and image quality of a professional SLR, with the simplicity, compact size and ease-of-use of a consumer point-and-shoot digital camera - making it an ideal camera for photo hobbyists and serious digital photographers alike. The high resolution 10-megapixel Live-MOS image sensor combined with the TruePic III processor gives you better color and quality with true-to-life skin tones, brilliant blue skies, precise color transitions, more detail and less image noise - plus the high resolution provides you with the flexibility to crop your images and still produce large, detailed prints.
The 2.7" HyperCrystal II LCD enables images to be beautifully displayed in vivid color, even from 176-degree viewing angles or in bright sunlight, and the Autofocus Live View feature provides users with the choice of framing images with the viewfinder or on the LCD Display, making it simple to preview and review your images, and is the perfect tool for macro, portrait or even landscape shooting. The ergonomic and lightweight design of the camera body means that the camera will be comfortable to hold even after a long day of sightseeing, and the E-520 makes it easy to shoot like a pro with 20 intuitive Scene Select Modes like Fireworks, Night Scene, Portraits and even underwater modes.
The E-520's industry-leading Image Stabilization technology, which is built into the camera body, compensates for movement so you can capture blur-free shots with any lens -- even at slow shutter speeds. It uses a gyro sensor to track the movement of the camera and automatically compensates for it by moving the image sensor so blurriness is minimized or even eliminated. The image stabilization system can also be activated to assist you in low light settings. Furthermore, the Professional quality Zuiko lenses that Olympus has developed for the Evolt SLR Cameras are designed to work perfectly with all of the camera's digital technology so your pictures will have exceptional color and clarity, and a broad selection of lenses is available. The E-520 also solves the dust problem commonly found with SLR Cameras by providing a proven anti-dust system so your pictures will be spotless - every time.
The IS-1 mode adjusts the sensor on both the X and Y-axes to compensate for movement by the photographer, so images stay sharp even at slow shutter speeds. To capture the action of athletes or animals, the Image Stabilization system offers two specialized modes. The IS-2 mode is optimized for holding the camera horizontally while panning, which is ideal for capturing subjects such as a racecar flying down the track. For sharp images of moving subjects like a basketball player charging up the court, the IS-3 mode allows a photographer the option of holding the camera vertically while panning for dramatic effects of action. The artistic effects of panning enhance the shot and render the subject in sharp detail with a motion-blurred background.
| Camera Type | SLR Digital Camera |
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Effective: 11.8MP, Recorded: 10.0MP |
| Sensor | 17.3 x 13mm MOS |
| Bit Depth | 36-bit |
| File Formats | RAW, JPEG |
| File Size | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Color Spaces | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Crop Factor | 2x |
| Optics | |
|---|---|
| Lens | No |
| Zoom | N/A |
| Lens Mount | Four Thirds |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Range | N/A |
| Accessory Lens/Filter Mount | N/A |
| Shooting Controls | |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | ISO 100-1600 |
| Shutter Speeds | 1/4000 - 60 sec, bulb |
| Metering | Digital ESP, Center-weighted Average, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Auto, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Scene |
| White Balance | Auto, Lamp, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Custom |
| Mirror Lock-Up | Yes |
| Burst Capability | 3.5fps Continuous Shooting |
| Self Timer | 2 seconds or 12 seconds |
| Interval Recording | No |
| Remote Control |
RM-UC1 Remote cable (optional) RM-1 infra-red remote control (optional) |
| Flash | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Effective Flash Range | Up to 39' (12.0 m) |
| External Flash Connection | Hotshoe |
| Dedicated Flash System | Olympus FL Series |
| Max Sync Speed | 1/180 sec |
| Memory | |
|---|---|
| Built-in Memory | No |
| Memory Card Type | CompactFlash I/II, xD |
| Still Images per GB |
RAW: 93 JPEG: High Res:150 - Low Res:10,240 |
| A/V Recording | |
|---|---|
| Video Recording | No |
| Video Resolution | N/A |
| Video Clip Length | N/A |
| Audio Recording | N/A |
| Viewfinder/Display | |
|---|---|
| Viewfinder Type | Eye-level Single-Lens Reflex |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 95% |
| Display | 2.7" LCD |
| Connectivity/System Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, A/V |
| System & Software Requirements |
Windows 2000, XP, Vista Macintosh OS X (10.2 or later) |
| Environmental | |
|---|---|
| Operating/Storage Temperature |
Operating Temperature: 32-104°F/0-40°C Humidity: 30-90% (operating), 10-90% (storage) |
| Weatherproofing | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Durability | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Battery Type | BLM-1 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery |
| Power Adapter | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3.6 x 5.4 x 2.7" (92 x 136 x 68mm) |
| Weight | 16.8 oz (475g) body only |
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Reviewed by 26 customers
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Pros
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
Light and compact yet fits the hand perfectly. Balances well even with the heavier Zuiko "pro" lenses. Makes a great "walkaround" or travel camera with the inexpensive "Kit" lenses. The four-thirds Zuiko lenses it uses are also compact and light -- with the two kit lenses (14-42 and 40-150) the 35mm equivalent range of 28 to 300 millimeters is covered with two lightweight lenses that both use the same filter size. I use it for travel, landscapes, and everyday photography. The built-in image stabilization is a real plus as there is no switch on the lenses to fool with.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
The perfect camera for traveling and everyday use.
I use this camera whit my 14-54mm mounted and this combination delivers very high image quality and fast autofocus.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
This is the 3rd E-system camera I own. The colors are great and the build is excellent.
The only negative thing I have to comment about is the noise at ISO above 800.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
This camera is wonderful for the price. It has features and performance of some cameras twice the price. Although some features, such as live view (which originally made the camera so appealing to me) I find I don't really use that much. It can be a bit noisy at low ISO's. Overall, though, an amazing performer in this price range.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
This camera is great the only reason I gave it four stars is because it is a four thirds system and can only except a small amount of lenses that can be used in auto focus mode and the crop factor also. One other thing is the screen isn't as bright as my Nikons, but all in all it is a great camera which takes very sharp pictures. Also since it is a four thirds system a 300mm lens focuses at 600mm for those long wildlife shots.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I use this camera for scenics and glamour photos. It is the easiest to use and fixes all problems that the E500 couldn't. It's such a fast focus camera. It's incredible.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I'm thrilled with this camera! I purchased it after my e-300 died and I have to say it is so much more than the e-300 was. Having used the e-300, the menu and functions were very easy to navigate, which I was thankful for. There are a lot more functions, but I feel that they are intuitively placed, so easy to find.
I never realized how excellent the kit lenses were that I got with the e-300 until I tried them on this camera, using the LCD to focus. The LCD is tack sharp and big enough to really see what you are doing, making this camera an excellent choice for studio photography. I am a glass artist, so that is what I will be using this camera for most.
The built-in flash is much better than the e-300 flash was, thankfully. The image stabilization works very well.
I have also found the sensor on this camera to be excellent. It is able to handle high contrast scenes much better than any digital camera I have owned in the past. I'm looking forward to using it for some outdoor photography this summer.
I could probably go on all day about this camera. I am so thrilled with it. I can't believe what you get for the price. Don't think twice...just get it!
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I'm a photography hobbiest/graphic designer that is saving for equipment to possibly make money off it. I've used the predecessor e-510 to take more than 8000 pictures in the time I've owned it (a little less than 2 years). I use the camera mostly to capture artistic shots and documenting events, but more recently i have been doing a lot of portraits for work which I'm finding i have more interest in. I recently picked up a sigma 70-200 f2.8 lens. This lens paired with the 2x sensor makes and image stabilization makes it an amazing lens. Even the telephoto kit lens is equivalent of 300mm. I would definitely recommend picking up a lens that is at least f2.8. Without, it is quite difficult to take any low light photos, though that is true with most cameras anyways with kit lenses. I've been more than happy with the camera. I've used the live view many times to help capture close-up shots. favorite attributes:*2x focal multiplication*live-view*the weight... extremely light for a dlsr*easy menus, fast learning curve.*inexpensive (though a little pricey when i bought it)*Image stabilization (i'm usually able to hand hold a quarter second shot, though i limit myself in low light to a 15th)*800iso adds an attractive grain to low light shots, though not very easy to adjust if not exposed right*kit lenses are very light and take crisp photos (recommend getting both lenses, very good deal for only ~[$] above body alone) had i not needed something for low light, I would be happy to just stay with them.things that would make it better:*(available with the 520) wireless flash capability*increased shutter speed*larger viewfinder*more 3rd party attachments (flashes... etc)*weather sealingthings I'm buying in the very near future:*sigma 30mm f1.4hsm lens*olympus fl-36r flash*nice tripod with ballhead*circular reflector
Pros
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
Great camera! JPG's from the camera are beautiful and I only need to shoot raw when I'm in a tricky lighting situation and want to play with the white balance in Olympus Master software (included). I also bought the 14-54mm F/2.8-3.5 instead of the kit lens, it balances great on this body, has a wider range and is faster than the smaller kit zoom. The build quality is very nice, and the camera has very useful features such as built in IS and an auto gradation setting that increases dynamic range in tough lighting. Gaining access to the line of great Olympus lenses is another big benefit, I own the 50-200 SWD which is incredible, though I hear very good things about the 40-150 'budget' zoom also.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
It' now even better suited for HDR work.
It has more more "Direct Buttons" than its predecessors, making settings easier and faster.
The new "Face Detect" feature makes focus on faces quicker. Great for fast candids.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I have had an E-300 for 4 years and collected several good lenses (14-54, 50-200, 50mm macro, EC 1.4, and macro extension tube) for it. I use my camera for building inspections and storm shots and the E-300 held up very well under some terrible conditions. Why not stay with a winning combo? I kept the 300 as backup and purchased the E-520. So far it has been great. Recently took snow storm shots at 5 degrees F. with no problem. Light and fast. I especially like the image stabilization and also live view for use with awkward shots.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I bought the E-520 body to add to my E-300 and Oly lenses that I already own. I've been very satisfied with it so far.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I wanted a camera to use to take landscape and portraits of the family on vacation and holidays. It really is excellent for my planned uses. It is relatively light weight and works very well for landscape or scenery. The main reason I bought Olympus was the camera software. I simply like the way pictures look over all other cameras I have used or am familiar. I like the live view and image stabilization systems and I feel they are superior to others I have used. I take mostly available light pictures at slow shutter speeds on some type of support and it performs great. I also bought the two lenses listed at the same time and they are clearly part of what makes the whole package work so well.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
have an e-500, upgraded to the 520 and like it a lot. has a lot of fun new features but did loose some of the good ones from teh 500. it lost the ability to iso every 1/3 step to each step, but being able to shoot at a higher iso with less noise is wonderful. the IS works with my sigma lens. face recognition is also a +. the control setup is very similar to the 500. added an inlayed rubber thumb pad and it is confy too.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
The picture quality is amazing. Quite a few enhanced features over the 500.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I already own the E500 & E510. Wanted another to use for landscapes and keep my telephoto lens on. This camera has met all of my expectations. Easy to use and has already taken some wonderful nature photos.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I bought this camera as a backup for my E3 and it does the job just fine. I have many lens and a flash so it made sense to stay with Olympus. I feel the colors are perfect from the E520 and it compliments the E3.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I shoot youth sports and nature, this has everything you need for both, fast burst speed, easy to set up. Perfect fit in your hands, all controls are easy to change on the fly.
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
Portraits / landscapes , using Oly. 14-54 2.8/3.5
Lens , usually with FL-36 Fill
Size & In camera image stability / backing up the
520 with a 510 /// for most users 99% the 510 will do the job !!!
Pros
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Comments about Olympus E-520 SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body):
I have upgraded (body only) from an E-510, not wanting to miss out on any new features. What I like about the camera is its modest size and weight, its intuitive feel, excellent image stabilisation system and great dust reduction feature. I have a suite of Zuiko lenses which I have gradually accumulated, which are well priced light weight and suit my style of photography perfectly. I like the larger display and having purchased the cordless remote shutter release, find the ability to remotely take group photos with myself in them without having to set the camera and then run into the frame is a great new feature.
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